The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is studying the
feasibility of widening the 268 km stretch of NH 209 (Dindigul to
Coimbatore and Coimbatore to Karnataka border via Annur) into a
four-lane road. The detailed project report (DPR) is likely to be prepared by
March next.

An official of NHAI told a leading south Indian newsapaper on December 5 that
the earlier proposal was to widen the existing road so that the two-lane
road would have paved shoulders on either side. However, since this was
not feasible for various reasons, the NHAI was studying the possibility
of a four-lane road.

It would also study whether service roads would be
needed on either side of the four lane road, the traffic pattern,
financial viability, and environmental impact.